Page 107 - Adventures in shadow-land

On this spot
Linger not 1
'Tfe the appointed hour [
Little boat,
Om *ard float.
Led by magic power-
■

As the last words were sung, the boat, ap­
parently of its own accord, moved into the centre

of the brook, its bow pointing to the cavern*
Then it paused for a moment, till the six speckled

trout could come and take their places around it*
And then, with a smooth, gliding motion, it went

towards the entrance of the cavern, which Slid-
denly raised its arch so as to admit the magic

boat. When it was just under the arch, the boat
stopped for a moment, and as Eva looked back,

she saw that the children were already going back
to the palace, singing as they went,—the bright,

rosy light, and the rainbow-surrounded fountains,
and the beautiful birds, seemed more charming

than ever in contrast with the Dark Unknown
into which she was going.
Then the boat shot forward again, and the

arc!} of the cavern, which had been raised to